Facebook Home -- the custom overlay that would make the social network at the forefront of Android smartphones -- won't be available for the iPhone and iPad, but the launcher's most buzzed-about feature called Chat Heads are coming to iOS devices. The Facebook app available at the iOS App Store has been updated today although Chat Heads will only be enabled for some users in the next few weeks. Chat Heads in Android devices allows persistent pop-up messaging so users can chat with Facebook friends no matter what app they're in. Chat Heads on iOS won’t be anywhere near as powerful as it is on Android though as the feature only works inside the Facebook app.
What Else You Need To Know
- Facebook Home's Chat Heads allows messages to pop-up over your current app and for users to access an SMS or Facebook messenger conversation by tapping icons that hover across the screen.
- Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg wants to see Facebook Home outside Android phones but Apple's likely to reject (or has rejected) the custom launcher as it does not allow anyone to alter with the OS interface.
- Other new features in Facebook 6.0 app include stickers in chat windows, as well as a new version of the iPad layout, which mirrors the version Facebook recently brought to the desktop News Feed.
Other sources
Basically, Android’s open nature means things like Chat Heads and Facebook Home are both possible and easy to implement. The story is very different on iOS, which is much more locked down.- Ricardo Bilton, Venture Beat
Chat Head’s are pretty much floating icons off to the side of your screen waiting for your Facebook Chat goodness.- Ramon Trotman, Mobility Digest
- Other
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